Go your own way

I've been avoiding blogging for the past few weeks, namely, time (clinic, clinic and show), and to be quite frank, I really didn't want to recap things or make goals or do much of anything. Even training, no matter how progressive as it's had become, was a drag.

I've officially hit seasonal funk and it's only June.

It's not like I didn't see this coming, a so-so show debut at 4th (55,6; 56,5) in the nasty 100 degree weather put a huge damper on things, dealing with the drama of work, organizing and a few other items has also left me a little more or less worn out and running for cover. I had my first weekend off in eight weeks and didn't know what to do with myself.

But with no regular lessons to keep us going at a critical juncture/push, and the next big days for travel in July, the wide expanse of June seems intimidating, if not boring.

It's not a negative thing, in fact there's a bunch of positivity about what had happened and what continues to as well.

Sinari has progressed and is gaining huge amounts of condition. When the weather holds, and there isn't a hay crop being harvested, we're up to six miles of trot and canter sets about two days a week. She officially beats the off the track thoroughbreds. Hoping that we'll get up to about eight miles before it's all through.

In the arena, the upped balance point and running through all the test elements at least once a session has helped. I've asked her to become hotter and wouldn't you know it, the little girl has it. I just need to go back to Sesame Street to learn to count my tempis.

The show wasn't a waste either. I can see why people can easily get bummed about mid-50's. Not showing since last July, we were, very, terribly out of practice and at a new level to boot. So while it didn't meet our goals of above 60, everything is fixable.

During the show she dug in and really did try to work it, but didn't have enough gas in the tank. It was my stupid fault for the warm up routine in that kind of heat. That our mistakes (pir's and accidentals fours) were really easy to clean up mistakes. The judges were really positive about the comments and talking to them after helped a ton as well. We're in review mode and I'll be darned if we don't crack 60's by July.

Sincere, despite showing that he was a turkey during the Hess clinic (just took him out to lunge in a new place) really is doing exceptionally well for his age. He has a ton of swing and three very elastic gaits. Just no topline to speak of to really sustain it. Plus he keeps trying. What's not to like about a horse that just keeps digging to find the right answer? He's looking less immature and more up hill and horse like everyday.

Even had an email from his dam's owner. May is doing really well, and is even going under saddle. I can't wait to see her again, it's been three years.

Being alone doesn't mean you don't limit your progression, it means you find different ways of adapting to progress.

I'm terribly manic about a few things, and one of them is staying as goal-oriented as possible. I think that's how I've managed to drive the ponies to this point, just get from point a to point b and work your ass off in between. Every. 30. Days.

Not having eyes on the ground, or being able to ask questions to your coaches (they've honestly been busy), when the expectation has been up has been really difficult. But it also makes you independent and much stronger. I still have questions, and experiences I want them to relate to, but right now their pursuing their own goals.

I'm a big boy now.

We've been snowed in again and normally I would venture forth to see the small child, this time, I wimped out. He's thankfully taken care of with the rest of his classmates.

Speaking of classmates, his are huge in comparison. The Lusitano colts tower by at least six inches with attitudes to match. Currently he stands around 12 hands, his growth spurt has slowed down considerably since winter hit.

So with the down time, I found a thread over on COTH about the benchmarks of pony size. Currently he's hitting the range for a large, or just barely horse. But it really makes me wonder, how big is he going to get? 

Savant, his sire (now gelded, pictured above) is about 16.2. May was pushing 14.0. So it really makes me wonder where he's going to end up and what he'll look like.

Can't you see what love has done?

The holiday is finally cleared past and what remains of it, I really don't want to touch. Having the long vacation in the middle definitely made things tolerable at work. 

We're back to normal (if you can call it that). 

I'm back to riding full time and looking in at the youngin' when weather is permitting. I'm back to plotting


The year wasn't without loss. I lost my first truck due to its age-related infirmities. I lost a few mounts in July, and subsequently left that farm for quieter pastures. I lost a few responsibilities, membership to KDA, a few pounds and perhaps a few points on the IQ scale when I decided to plan out a number of major clinics for this and the next year. 

While the economy was loosing itself, I was busy finding me, I think I weathered my first bubble out alright. Even started my 401k.


But for the most part, we did well. 

Goal recap for 2009:


Horsey Stuff

1. Final four scores for bronze
   No. I fell short at the last three. Then due to a situation change, I couldn't show for the majority of the year. Hindsight being what it is, I'm more than fine with it. I still want my bronze though.
   
   
2. Foaling/ Find home for May
   Achieved. Sincere safely foaled out, he's now big (but thankfully not as big as his playmates) and May is safely tucked away in Michigan.
   
   
3. Fourth level/PSG schooling
   Achieved. We ran through a trunkated version of the PSG. The movements are all there, just need the strength. We're taking this year out to get her up to par for 2011's season.
   
   
4. More education
   I don't know whether or not I ment formal or non formal. There was plenty of formal education, but the majority I recieved was informal. Experience is the best teacher and she wolloped me soundly. I learned not to take in-kind trades anymore, to get everything in writing, keep your files straight and always be straightforward in your dealings.
   
   
5. Begin L program
   No. I didn't have enough time or have the scores. Still interested in going after this though.
   
   
6. Attend all scheduled shows/inspections
   No. Especially the inspections. I have my eye on GOV Oldenburg book for Sinari next year, depending on cash flow-- but again, it's all about the FEI.
   
   
7. Expand team and promote ponies
   Achieved. I did expand the team. I did promote ponies.
   
   
8. Successful NDPC show (and expand to three rings)
   Achieved in a roundabout fashion. According to the peanut gallery, it was a success. But I don't want credit for it.
   

Regular:

1. 70 mile bike
   Does the thought count? I got on a bike, found a cat and promptly crashed. During the summer we regularly went on 10 miles. But I didn't get to do any of the long distance stuff.
   
   
2. Start school
   Erm. Yes and no. I finally settled on a degree and will be starting summer classes. But didn't get to do much in '09 due to an outstanding bill.
   
   
3. Smile more
   Achieved. I'm overall a happier person. I can thank my physical therapist, a good pair of shoes, the boy and my pony for that.
   
   
4. Better job.
   No. But not for the lack of trying. I was on the final call back for several interviews and even my own company was impressed with me, and is considering something down the pike

 So what's on the docket for 2010?:

Horsey Stuff:

1. Condition and train through I1. Gotta nail them tempi's!
   
2. Continue to teach and train Sincere. Make him a responsible citizen.
   
3. Acquire more farm implements.
4. Successfully execute clinics.
5. Save for Embryo Transfer
   

Non Horsey stuff:

1. Repair credit score, develop more savings
   
2. Go to school
3. Develop more 'me' time.
   

On and on we go

The little boy is growing up.

The last few weeks he's been stubborn about leading. Backing up, carrying on about not wanting to leave the herd.

The plant and freeze is highly annoying to begin with. The backing up is worse. 

Being forward, is more than important to me. It's a concept that he cannot ever say no to.

So for the past month whenever we worked, we went on short walkabouts. First it was to the truck. Every time he would stop and plant, we would circle, stop and circle about some more until he got the point. Every time he would run backwards he would be tapped up until he accepted being forward.

When he was weaned, we started going farther. We started exploring the inside of the barn and more of the surrounding fields.

When May left we started going to the barn.

Being nervous he ate his way through his mash in the wash stall, and nearly freaked at the sprinkler in the adjacent arena on the first day. He still occasionally trips over the back of my heels. The subsequent days he was fine about the wash stall and walking in and out of the barn.

This past week though we had one bout, and the rest of the time outside was ultimately pleasant. He went from having breaks to having none sometimes. So now, he's learning to chill and maybe reinstalling some breaks.

November's goals:
-Relaxation
-Leading
-Learning to be in a stall
-Tying

Tappa tappa tappa

Sincere's time with May is drawing to a close.

Actually, it has for the most part. I can separate the two for a length of time without the other going off and in the field, they graze on opposite corners, unless he needs a snack.

Working with him has progressed from in the field to outside on his own. Working him alone presents a few challenges.

 Since he draws a lot of his strength on his herd, the challenge there is to get him used to the idea that working alone is not a scary or upsetting thing. It's also kind of an advantage to have a buddy along when the going gets tough. But nine times out of ten, I don't have that.

I also discovered he emotionally eats worse than a teenage girl. Every time he's stressed out, he goes for a drink, or in my case, he goes for the box of sugar cubes. He loves working for food and will do anything for a bite. God love the food motivated horse.

He's also incredibly fidgety. Ants in the pants variety of fidgety. Mentally he needs to slow down and just chill out and I've got a plan for that.

But recapping the weekend:

 Saturday's experience was less than positive. The whole thing was rife with going backwards mentally and physically (he would literally back up ten feet) and probably set me back a few sessions with the wee guy. I feel incredibly bad about the entire matter still, even though Sunday, he regained his training wheel status and a little more faith in me we just went for the basic walk in a figure eight.

 Honestly, it was a classic case of doing too much. I introduced the trailer, we went for a walk, we groomed, we worked through puddles, we did, what was later told to me eight sessions in one day. Go stupid me.

What caused him to get back on the path? I would like to think sheer training ability, but in reality, it was his ability to forgive and my addressing the root cause of relaxation through Endo Tapping.

Endo Tapping is a systematic conditioned response through rhythmical tapping on the horse through stimuli (e.g. whip, hand, strapping rag) to produce endorphins to relax the horse. Think of it as an application of percussive massage. It was discovered in part by Giacomini and a few of his associates and since then has found it's way into a number of hands.

 I started doing this because I want relaxed horses and I saw what it has done for those who have been regularly tapped. I think it's partially the reason why Sinari has come back the way she has (she's tapped on every day prior to work), and I have begun to see a difference in the way May carries herself.

 In this case I use a whip with a small ball at the end and produced some nice initial results after the first session. Sincere, while more clearly relaxed, less agitated, he still wouldn't allow himself to fully mellow out. The first two minutes of starting to mellow out, he would pick himself up again and be on alert. It was like watching an insomniac wake themselves up out of REM cycles. But physically he was better, more chilled than the dancing thing on the end of the rope on Saturday.

I'll continue to tap on him.

Today he had his first shots with glowing reviews from the vet. Hopefully not too sore tomorrow.

So training plans for October:

Endo Tap him until he gets a consistent reaction.
Leading, and no resistance while leading.
Learning to go forward.
Bonus: get in the trailer.

Double Entendre

I'm going to try something new. I'm going to try to do two separate posts per week. 

Sincere is not really a side note anymore, and letting him be a side note isn't really correct. He's doing just as much as Sinari in regards to training. It's hard enough trying to fit everything into one post so it's coherent, it's time for the split.

Plus he's really filling into his role as a dressage candidate.
 
After I settled Sinari in to her local digs, I was able to concentrate on Sincere and May, who were in desperate need of grooming and attention.

When I travel on the road to see my horses, certain bits of attention fall by the wayside to accomplish the overall goal of getting things done. May and Sincere, more often than not, find themselves with stretches of just hanging out. Finally I can spend a solid two or three hours grooming and training.

After I finished with May, including picking out burrs, trimming bridle paths and cutting witch's knots out, I started on Sincere who is going through an ADD phase.

Grooming is no issue for the young man, who is going to be fairly metro when it comes to his looks. Minus his socks, which were mud encrusted. I greased him down with liquid show sheen to keep the burrs out and began his leading lesson.

Sincere, for his age, leads and trots in hand pretty well. He ground ties and, for being young, isn't pushy. However stopping and turning not so much. Then there's the issue of the scary barn, or the scary trailer or the pile of wood.Teaching him to be brave is another thing that, while he's good at, could always be improved. I've learned over the months, never take for granted what the child gives you. What may apply one day, may not apply the next.

The problem isn't him, it's me. I want to do and show him so much. He's usually very game for it, and I want to push all the time. Have to keep the sessions short and sweet, sometimes they are and sometimes they are not.

Today we went through most of it, got him to touch the trailer, go around the wood and walk up to the barn. Stopping wasn't an issue today where he did the plant and stare fairly well, but he was easily started up again with a couple of taps from behind.

Tomorrow I'll Endo tap him. Down the road I want to introduce him to the small clippers, get him loaded in the stock trailer and get him towards working on the trailer.

Song sung blue

Nearly three years ago, a bay Arabian mare stumbled off of Chronicle of the Horse Forums and in my life.  A product of too much time on my hands and having sucker written all over me.

She was skinny and malnourished, despite not having a foal at her side for several months. She was skittish, nearly running everyone including me over in her new place. She was injured, with pickling salt in her wounds, and scars across her croup from god knows what. She was proud, opinionated, stubborn and smart.

She went by the name Wench when she stepped off on the clear, humid August morning during Pony Finals, but she became known as May to those who loved her.

I didn't know what I wanted to do with her. Originally, I wanted a young, somewhat broke mare that I could turn around, instead I had received May, career broodmare.

Her old owner thought she wasn't worth the time or effort to feed after she weaned, or, judging from the depth of the wire wounds, not worth even some antiseptic. When I talked to her, she made no qualms about why she didn't like the mare, and quickly made excuses as why there were why scars over her croup.

Truthfully, I was a bit crestfallen when she hopped off that trailer.  

But the mood quickly subsided when she nosed my pockets for sweets.

On that August morning, my first order was to get her to a farrier, clean out the wounds and put antiseptic in them, get her up to date on vaccinations and put some feed in her. Since she didn't fit even my smallest halter (and had shipped in nylon), I went to KBC and purchased a basic leather that would fit her fine-boned features.

I turned her out with a mixed herd on grass, and she gained weight immediately. She was smart to handle and picked up on ground manners quickly enough.

At first, it was a tumultuous relationship between the two of us. If she didn't like what was going on, she would leave the scene. If she didn't like me, she would find a way not to be caught or touched. She lived in her halter 24-7 and was extremely trailer, needle, wormer phobic.

Eventually she moved to Deer Haven, where she became chief babysitter and blossomed into something awesome. The more I handled her, the more I showed her new things, the more she opened up. Eventually she shared all her fun scratchy spots (loves having her tail scratched and will back up to you), learned some tricks and, what was the highlight of time with her, loaded on the trailer. Needles and wormers are another matter.

The same year May arrived, I saw Savant, Sincere's sire, go at Young Horse Nationals. I thought he was a gelding with his fabulous temperament, until I saw his advert in a stallion service auction benefiting Holly Bergay. Eventually, I bid on, and won that breeding for May.

A year later, she was in foal and when the Preakness Stakes were a few hours into the books, a bouncing baby boy was in the world.

I made the decision to breed for a lot of reasons, which were discussed around here and other places, but I doubt I couldn't have had a nicer foal if it weren't for her.

But, after all was said and done, something was nagging me. After a lot of soul searching, I came to understand that May needed someone who can bring her further along and do her a greater service.

You see, my barn right now isn't a breeding and training operation, it's just a training operation. All my horses are in training in one form or another, with the idea that one day, they will go to upper level dressage. May is a great horse and deserves a great home that will take her to the next step, whether it be having another baby, starting and going under saddle or just being nifty out in a paddock with a bunch of babies.

I searched a long time. In my head, I could still do it all, but eventually, a literal forever home came that would offer her a chance to do something worthwhile. Most importantly, it's a home that offers security. After her ordeal, it's vital that she always remain safe, loved and taken care for. The minute that those obligations are not being met, she stays with me.

I wish I could say, she'll live out the rest of her life in my backyard, playing babysitter or surrogate to the various horses, but I can't. She'll be up north, living a good life under fantastic care.

So, a few weeks after Sincere bids his goodbye to his mom, she'll be loaded on a trailer and shipped out with two others from her herd.

I miss her already.

I get around

I drove up to Pittsburgh last weekend to pick up the new truck with Vicky.

The drive was long, the drive home was even longer, but it was worth it. Will post photos soon- if you haven't noticed, the south east has been under water for the past couple of days. Taking photos is hard when you can't see much in front of you.

But the truck is sweet, and having transportation is even sweeter.

With the wheels, I've pretty much sated my thirst for doing errands and other regular things. I even had an eight week, what the hell did you do to yourself at PT the other day. Hell, getting coffee is a continual highlight. Friday, I get to hear Anthony Bourdain chat in Louisville and Saturday, I'm heading on out to Sport Horse Nationals to get a taste for what we'll be going for in two years. I still need to drop off blankets at the cleaners as well as my own show coat, shirts and other things.

End of the year wrap up stuff.

I've been playing catch up with the ponies who are still out with Vicky's herd. Not complaining, I've been doing plenty of conditioning over the hills there and watching baby be his lovely self.

Sinari is almost black liver chestnut with her incoming winter coat. The Glanzen really made the difference. She's not as fuzzy this time of the year either, I hope it bodes well for what kind of winter we have in store. She is dappled, fat and sassy. She is my most prized, and she knows it, but tolerates the colt. I've been slow to start her back to work, kind of savoring the easy going nature of the situation and bringing her mind and her body back all at once.

Sincere is having a ball with the mud, much to my unamused expression. You know how hard it is to keep whites clean? Let alone on a horse that enjoys his mud baths? Hard.

At the same time, I don't mind if he keeps up the easy going personality. In the world of horses, he really is one of those who is self-assured. He'd be the good-looking popular jock in the crowd whose mamma taught him to be nice to everyone. He enjoys his sugar cubes and treats.

To try the point, I did something that I probably shouldn't have, in an area that I probably shouldn't have. Because my arena time is limited, and because both mare and foal are still attached at the hip, I work out in the field, with the rest of the herd.

Normally these sessions are short, working on leading, some ground tying, yielding front quarters and hindquarters. This time he presented new opportunity. Already rolling in the mud, I entered the paddock, he stayed down, as he usually does and I began playing. I laid him in a recumbent position, handled him till he fell asleep. Then I flipped him on his back and started to handle his legs in different ways. I expected him to be more resistant, but he just took everything in stride never putting in a peep of protest.

I also have good news on the horizon as well, I'm officially starting up a business in three months and can't wait. It doesn't mean the end of Amazon, but it's a step forward.

Keep on Truckin' Part 6: Rollin' on 45s, Saga Ends.

I finally did it, I finally achieved truck status.

It's not exactly what I wanted, but it will do. A friend and myself are going to do the pickup on Saturday in... Pittsburgh. The truck is in New Jersey, and dear ole da and I are meeting half way at Steel City to exchange. I wish I could fly up, but

Not what I call the highlight of the weekend, but you know... transportation comes with the horses and I'm really tired of bumming rides.

People have been beyond excessively nice and kind to me (especially the boy). Last week, Vicky picked me up and I spent the entire day with her just going around. It felt awesome to get out of the house and break what has become Cabin Swine Flu.

I got to pet on my horses and see how they were doing. Hugging on Sinari (also got to ride- who was fantastic), I marveled how dark she was and how her winter coat was coming in quickly. Also reminded me to order my own set of ultra-large body clippers this year.

I noted how Sincere is now way bigger with his Marilyn Monroe/Rockette legs that just go on forever, that his foal coat is shedding out in clumps and how soon he'll be weaned from May. He reminded me to order blankets. But aside from the third (!) halter he's on (chewed the second), I did manage to get him his own brush box.

I guess when you don't see family for so long, you marvel at the changes.

But with truck comes the natural follow up of trailer. Which I'm hoping for in about a year to have the credit and down payment ready. I've already been in contact with a bunch of dealers to find a brand I would thoroughly enjoy, that would be lightweight, but strong enough and versatile to handle my and my horse's needs.  The one that truly fits that bill is Brenderup.

I've hauled with a lot of things in a lot of composites, Corn-Pro, Merhow, Sundowner, Jamco, Kiefer, Featherlite, Equi-Spirit, Hawk... but really unless it was a gooseneck, the bumper pulls never really shouted at me to run out and spend 13 on them. In fact, hauling with a few of them scared me about to death.

Until I hauled with a Brenderup a couple winters ago.

It was a friend's Baron two horse, and I was skeptical right down to body materials. Don't get me wrong, it was a clean, new-er trailer. Roomy with a practical layout. I hauled it with her F250, it was more truck than what was needed, but even fully loaded down with equipment, horses and various other things, it towed like there was nothing back there, above speed limit.

It was that, and not wrenching my back out at the ramp and having everything work in the bitter cold that was ultra comforting and impressive. I was still skeptical about the tack space (wee tiny), until I saw the models could be converted for space.

It's seriously the IKEA of trailers, and I'm fairly bound and determined to have one. Maybe by Rolex or WEG, they'll be able to make me a deal.

I know it puts a hamper on my plans for '10 (still have to beg and plead for a ride). But the year off could do us good, it would solidify the team, allow for some growing pains to sort out and more importantly, would be great not to be on a show-driven schedule.

I'm still open for debate on that, but for now, I have October and November to finish out and a few options to discuss with people.

Cars no go

I've become a bored house frau without transport. I've taken up Martha Stewart arts and crafts and re-reading the entire Harry Potter series.

Due to the long spell of no riding, much of my to do list that I've put off for about a year, is being completed.

On the to do list, was the blog.

I became tired of my gray on black look, the strict CSS styling that wasn't adaptable and left too much negative space. In addition to the right handed-ness of the entire layout, it just became a bore. I threw out the original color and font scheme and gave it a more "leftist" look with expandable layout.

New additions have been added to the sidebar menus. Being a hard core You Tube addict, and general media hound, I love all things news. As much as it pains for me to say it, I think it's vitally important for the equestrian community to go beyond the out dated mode of print media. Especially as the world becomes more digitally connected.

I love getting magazines in the mail, I have for a very long time. I'm a subscriber to no less than three industry rags, and with membership to the various organizations I get another three in various formats. But, the problem is this: the news is about a month old, giving away to the meat of the magazine itself- the features to stand alone. Which is risky because some issues, it's a rerun.

News media outlets that are free and promote video usage, like Horse Girl TV, Horse Hero, Dressage Daily and Horse and Country, are starting to spread news on a viral basis and even provided a more diverse content that what magazines are limited to.

The news of Totilas and his shattering kur would have reached the US in about two months time, and, if stuck with VHS, would have came out a year later. With web, I watched it a day later. In the same breath, the recent US Young Horse Championships would be pushed into the October edition and we wouldn't see the winning rides at all if it weren't for Dressage Daily.

It's not to say that print based media hasn't tried, Prime Media (owners of Practical, Equisearch and Dressage Today), Bowtie Press and Chronicle of the Horse are being somewhat successful in their crossover tactics. But it's not totally free, nor are they really covering current information- leaving it to the print editions and giving the archived coverage for free months down the road. Don't blame them, they have to keep a people going to the print to keep their number in order.

So, to have these gems to help get new blood out, they should be patronized with hits and views. In the end, you'll benefit and see something new.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I'm waiting on a loan. Hence no regular transport to and from the farms. Sinari is enjoying extended vacation and Sincere being himself.

I'm getting impatient with the matter and my surrogate rides are as well.Hopefu

May has found herself a new home and will be moving, post-weaning to Michigan to be a pony for a friend. I already miss her, but as I've said before, my mares need to go on and be career mothers. Since she threw Sincere though, the breeder in me has been wanting to breed again, and in the contract she'll be embryo transferred at a later date as to the daddy... I don't know yet. Quaterback seems to be speaking volumes lately.

That's not my name

(Inspired by Andrea over at Eventing A Gogo)

Without a doubt, I have an interesting bunch of names in my herd and interesting tastes as far as recent naming.

My very first pony was Alhem Jamilia. A half-arabian, National Show Horse mare, who was unstable as she was trailer phobic. Seriously made the off the track thoroughbreds look like plugs.

But she was loved by us (one 15 year-old, indestructible and one middle aged woman, mum). 

Of course, she was the pride and joy of my mum, and she could do no wrong (until she broke mum's coxes, then that tune changed). Jamie, or Jammie as she was called at the barn had her name changed by mum to Jammie Rose.

It sounded like something out of a country western pornographic film.

Call it lesson learned, but the reason why I keep the majority of my horse's registered and show names as is, is because of her. Barn names are a completely different story... take Sinari.

Sinari's registered name is Bro A Bryn Siwrnai. Say that three times fast.

As you can imagine, we are loathed worse than the warmblood named horses, considering the slew of letters thrown in. By the way, It's pronounced Shore-nye. Kudos for trying. The Welsh translation of her name is: to journey. Which I found really appropriate, considering discipline and how many owners (five) until she came to me.

When I purchased her, Sinari's original barn name was Pretty. I still gag at it. Yes, she is pretty. I think she's drop dead beautiful. But does she really need a Barbie-like name that makes her seem... air headed? A quick search through a Welsh dictionary, I found the shortened her unpronounceable name into something even the daftest redneck can read.

Then along came May's Diamond Nine.

I suppose May got her registered name via birthday. She was born on the 9th of May 2001. Where the diamond came from I have no clue. 

May came from North Carolina out of a really bad situation. The owner had run out of hay, money and patience. Her herd was starving and going downhill in a quicker-than-normal fashion.

I found May through Chronicle of the Horse Forums. I wanted a nice, young, semi-broke Arabian filly that I could turn around. Instead, I got young, hasn't been touched since weaning her last colt off.

When I spoke to the owner, the mare's name was along the lines of "Wench". She judged her to be an disagreeable creature who hadn't produced what her lines indicated.

So the mare named Wench came to live with me.

When she stepped off the trailer, she had wounds packed with pickling salt, white scars on her croup, was 200-300 pounds underweight and an extreme dislike for ramps. Since then, she's had the best of care, love and understanding.


Her barn name came from her registered name. It stuck, and seemed more appropriate somehow. The month of May out here is marked by foaling season, Derby and sometimes odd weather. It's marked by change and hope. For her, it is befitting.


Then back in May, May had a colt.


I was a fit for names. It was my first opportunity to actually name something that I would compete with.


I thought about it all year long and I thought I had one picked out: Fibonacci.


If that doesn't scream geek from the high towers I don't know what does.

For me, it seemed like a perfect inside joke. The Fibonacci sequence, Phi, or the "Golden Ratio", is the mathematical version of the most aesthetically visually appeasing object.  Mathematically, mathematicians study it for it's unique ability in geometry and conjugations (e.g. Quadratic Equation).

In other words, it means perfection and dressage mostly is about one form of perfection or another and this guy, while extremely easy on the eyes, a good mover and personable to boot, isn't a DQ's cup of tea as far as ideals go.

Plus it didn't fill naming requirements as far as the linage was concerned (again with tradition!). All foals that I've been around have been named starting with the first letter of the sire's name. So, since May's colt was by Savant, he had to begin with an S. 

I nixed Fibonacci.

But when he was born and short while thereafter, the events became dramatic.

Everyone at that barn had an opinion about the name (and many other things), none of which sat well. 

Driving home late from his birth on Preakness Evening, I thought about the other qualities of a great horse and one of them was sincerity. All my horses are sincere creatures. They try everyday and are enjoyable on a multitude of levels. They are game, willing and honest.

And, for some reason, it fit him. His registered name is Sincere G. The G is for my last name, every horse bred by me will carry it.

He hasn't quite got a barn name yet, he goes by Sparky occasionally, but mostly Sincere. 

Sinari is next to be bred in the coming years. Her first will be by North Fork's Brenin Cardi. I think, if it's a orange bouncing colt, I will name him: Batali.

Playing catch up

Over the week I've been playing catch up with everyone and everything. Most of the time, I feel like I've been commuting to and from places without really accomplishing something.

The first ride on Sinari wasn't so bad. She was hot to go, and I was tense. Got into the arena and it wasn't so bad, did a few changes, half pass work nothing extraordinary.

But the flies were so bad, that I cut it short fairly quickly. I was a bad person and didn't spray her down.

I can't do anything serious with Sincere due May, who pulled a tendon while partying out in the field. She's resting up with a couple of grams of bute. Still have to worm everyone, everyone needs trims, I need normalcy back. I need to be home at my regular barn.

Nix that, I really want my own barn.

Still haven't found Sincere's halter (halter gnomes win this one). Normally I go to Quillins, but they were closed by noon on Saturday. So it meant trekking out to Fenell's to get get another figure eight, which turned out was too small.

Apparently it's not just his body that's grown, he now has a big honkin' head. He's ready for a little boy halter. Another trip out to Fennell's.

Also made a trip out to Gram's to get my saddle, bridle and sugar cubes for Sinari. Not to mention paying the shavings bill. Ran into a few people, and spent the morning talking away. Should be back in lessons hopefully by next week. They also recently had added new sand to the arena, which looks oh-so-lovely. I wanted to make sand angels in the middle of it, but when I walked out in it, it was super deep and needed to be leveled out a bit more.

I've managed to go truck shopping, all of twice. Hopefully I'll get into Stigers or Bob Allen on Monday. I also have my mum looking up north. It's not that I don't want her to look, its just the trip I have to make if she finds one.

It's hard to fit in an entire schedule of stuff, when you've barely caught up all week.

(Photo credit: Kelly McChesney)

And per request of some readership- new photo of the wee child. More to come later.

Keep on Truckin' 4: Butt head.

After flying home on Saturday, the real work begins looking for a big, expensive four wheeled pet that can haul the expensive four legged ones around.

Trailer searching has been far easier.

It's been a horrible search so far. With the GMC deal falling through, Elmer who I'm in the process of turning into glue and being left at the mercy of people for rides, I'm fed up with the entire process of automotive.

The issue became compounded when I came home and found my tire slashed in my driveway.

What it boils down to is this: truck shopping sucks and my immense dislike for people and their bullshit is fairly evident at this point.

It's not for the lack of trying. I'm working with a serious, very respected dealer who is in my corner and trying his heart out. Plus he's pretty damn cool overall and will definitely be buying all my trucks from these guys again.

So when I get back I have a truck lined up with another dealer whose willing to trade with the respected guys. It was theoretically supposed to be the one. But if it weren't for the cigarette butts, the beer caps, the wrong mileage and the break box ripped out from under the dash, I'm sure it would be great. That random noise under the hood was interesting as well.

Do I appreciate the guy's time? Yes, he stayed open late for me. But, honestly, I expected the dealer to whip out the little lady speech. I felt bad for my dealer for wasting his time.

I guess it boils down to salesmanship. Represent the car accurately and clean it. Say hello to me first (you know the one with the cheque book?), and don't ask how much I'm willing to spend, especially if you know the truck I'm looking at is 10.5k.

Not. Rocket. Science. More like common sense.

Because the Boy's mum lent me her car (sporty little Mazda number), I've been able to zip out to the barn. I got to see my ponies for the first time in a week. Everyone is doing fabulous with the time off.

Sinari looks great, but needs a bath. I spent five minutes scratching her neck and feeding her sugar cubes. She's adjusted to her temporary herd with minor fuss. There's a scab across her bum and she has some dew poisioning. I'll ride her straight through the weekend, gradually getting her going again.

Sincere has grown bigger, but hasn't lost his sweet attitude. Everyone is impressed with his royal self. He's even impressed the local Halter Gnome population by making a donation in his new 22-acre field. The new working student and I are going to wander until we find it. If not I'll be donating more money to Quillins.

May is still May. She's a happy pony who still hates Sinari, is ultra protective of her little man and... enjoys her butt scratches. The best part is when Sincere is weaned she'll be going home with a good friend and former working student as a lesson pony (she knows the complete history). I can't wait to see her go forward with this part of her life because I think it's ultimately important for mares to have careers. I did retain one or two more breedings via embryo transfer.

They all need trims. They all need shots and I need a shot of sanity.

I'm just happy to be home and to be waiting with baited breath on more news.

Being apart of it

My very late weekly update is presented by the letters N, Y and C.

I flew out a week ago to do my yearly hiatus-from-the-world thing, only to end up in the middle of it and a never-ending barrage of calls from people who want to see me, people who I want to see and people who'd I like to work for.

A lot of the calls were mostly positive and hopefully will have excellent outcomes.

But, it's funny how you get away from it all only to be found in the thick of things.

I grew up and in this town and I'm fond of it. I know most of the good spots, but when you've lived away from a place that changes quickly, the thing leaves you behind. Not complaining, while NYC isn't my preferred cup of tea, but it isn't too shabby.

Currently staying with family and things are working out alright. Just after walking the NYC Marathon, you tend not to care if your dear ol da is a raging conservative, and you're the stark libertarian in the family.

The horses, I hear, are fine. They made their move in to their new facility. Sinari, who is staying temporarily with the herd, could care less as long as she gets enough grass. Sincere loaded like a champ and is getting his sea legs for travel. May, however, pulled her usual I don't wanna routine, and after bribery and fussing she loaded on.

Good news about May's situation, is that there is a tentative home for her. More on this later, for now though, I'm just chilling and looking like a fat.

We built this city on rock n' roll

It's a great way to start off a weekend when the blog has received it's first award.

Thanks to wolfandterriers and her blog, Dressage Pony has earned the Honest Scrap Award.

So with any acceptance speech there are ten things I have to tell about myself and the ponies:

1. I believe, whole-heartedly in what I do with my horses. That from breeding to training to showing to management that we're on the right track, even if we make a few detours. They come first and will always have my loyalty first.
a. I love all of them and I believe in them too.
b. Plus they look good everywhere.

2. Sinari rules. All else follows. This includes but is not limited to: sleep, money, sanity, relationship with family, ect, ect, ect. Thus, I bow down to Queen S. Sacrificial sugar cubes are needed daily to keep her royal-ness happy, I suggest you pile them to the right of her stall.

3. I could survive on chocolate, wine and French food for the rest of my life. My heart and waistline, however, could not.

4. I believe education is an investment, and to progress in anything, you need to enable yourself to continue on and focus on it.

5. Rules of life: Never burn a bridge. Give pause. Be nice. Get everything in writing.

6. I wish I had my own barn and arenas now. The ponies do not.

7. I have two (soon to be three) personal alarm clocks, who are more entertaining than anything on TV at the moment (except at 5am). My cats are fabulous, even if I'm their indentured servant.

8. I'd rather go through open heart surgery than a) buy another saddle and b) buy a truck.

9. I have a wonderful boyfriend (who is very supportive and motivated to get stage one Number six completed out).

10. If you can only do one thing well in life, I hope it's the thing you love.

I nominate (since the majority of my reading list has been taken):

Elaine Ward Dressage
The Opening Chord
Mary's Daily Dish
Dover's World
Rock and Race Horses
SHN News

After a very, very, very, boring week of work, no riding (schedule sucks) I'm off to Detroit, MI for the weekend, then a very busy week of dinners, and prepping for my trip to NYC.

Birthday wrapup

I turned 25 July 17th without a ton of fanfare. I left work early, I rode and played with my ponies, I ate curry and had a lovely beer with the boy and then... I had my first old person moment:

I fell asleep on the couch.

At 8pm.

I would go further into the sordid details of falling asleep, but honestly who wants to hear about REM cycles?

A close group of friends and family partied out at the Zielger House in Frankfort. The boy cooked a huge spread and topped it off with Derby Pie and home brew. It was a good birthday overall, with a good gift haul (thanks everyone!)

We ended the weekend up with a 10 mile bike on my new Cannondale, where I promptly kissed the grass around mile nine. Between coming and going, we nearly hit a kitten. Thankfully, we swerved and missed, but we were pursued by said kitten. So we stopped, unpacked and emergency bag into our pockets and stuck the tiny tabby grey female (about a pound at most) into the black cycling pack on the boy's bike.

The poor girl was dehydrated and currently malnurished and flea infested. She's in quarentine at his parents' house until her first vet visit.

The ponies continue to progress, but with some trouble here and there.

Sincere turned two months old on the 16th, and he's finally grown into his long legs. He's a massive amount of gorgeous horse. He's also getting into a stage where he's discovering he has an option of saying no. I'm quickly squashing it. There isn't an option for him. We're leading for longer periods of time, he's now ground tying sucessfully and trotting for short periods in hand.

Sinari is rocking the arena out. We're working on the transitions in the half pass (canter-walk-canter) without loosing the line or excercise. She's doing her working pir's well enough and the turn on the hauch is very cleared up at the moment. When I dismounted, I found out I used too much right spur, and immediately I felt horrible. She's feeling tight through the neck, and wants to throw her ribs in.

Haven't worked on the changes, so I have a feeling she's rusty.

But all in all, good work this week.

The upcoming week is the start of summer travel, I have to go to Detroit for the boy's family reunion then a week of brief rest and then off to NYC. I hope I surivive!

Keep on truckin' Part 2

I didn't get to try out the GMC yet. The deal isn't complete on the guy's trade in (the saga of upside down loans) and I think he's hemming on the price. Meanwhile, I'm looking elsewhere, and more or less out of town.

There are two trucks out of town in the in between class: 2500 and definitely within price range. I'll give a ring tomorrow and see what the dealers have to sell.

Everything else has been ho-hum. We upped the feed on May and Sincere, Sinari had her summer jabs and I'm running around work like a loon.

Oh yeah, I'm turning a year older. Advancing age syndrome sucks.

World on a string

For a holiday that's supposed to be about blowing up small projectiles, it's been a bit of a bummer. In addition to the rain and cloud cover, there is nothing in the TV (except a Bond marathon) and really on the Internet. I'm about ready to hit a bath and book.

The day wasn't without activity, I rode with Sharon, working on bending and filling in the small gaps. Sharon hopped on and I got an ground eye view of what's going on. She can do it all, that isn't a big deal, it's just polishing it out so it looks and scores better. Thankfully, everyone is on the same page.

Added to Sinari's wish list is a full custom saddle. I made a deal with her, she gets to FEI in the Duett, and I'll cough up the cash for something really special. Meanwhile I'll keep an eye on the fit, and who knows, perhaps Duett will do a model that's a little more... sporty.

Going back to training- I'm going to leave the changes for a while, and get her more through in the lateral work. Re-gaining full control of the outside shoulder is full priority. Riding with spurs and not the whip has helped a lot. Should make the difference.

Going over to the other farm, I thought of the last rounds of photos that were taken, when he was smaller. The boy has already grown to half of May's height. He's physically more mature than most colts I've seen at his age. I'm still quite afraid that I've bred a physically very large young man.

To quell the fears (or to increase them) I string-tested the young man. I'm not encouraged, but then again, I think I was doing it wrong at the wrong time. So we'll try again soon. But I offer this small plea in the mean time:

Oh size fairy! I beseech thee to not to groweth Sparky beyond 15 handith. The ground is hard and I fragile. Thank you, Amen.

Truck/SUV shopping has been endless. My initial searches proved fruitless, and so I've begun scouring the Internet a bit harder. Initially, everything was out of range, or too underpowered. There have been a parade of people, including a few dealers, thinking what I need is something itty bitty and cute.

Seriously guys, it's the 21st century, girls drive trucks. My horse is not a boat, nor is an average boat trailer in the remote category of a horse trailer, and the equipment it hauls. Yes, I do need AWD, 4WD, or a 4x4 coupled preferably with a V8 or a V6 with an excellent transmission/Axel ratios. And don't try to hide the history from me. I am a journalist.

So, trust me when I say, I would love itty bitty. I would love cute. I would love to drive a car again (in fact I've been eyeing Subaru again).

But right now, I can't. I need a dual-purpose vehicle that hauls myself, and the ponies. And since Sparky is deciding on his size to be in the larger range, I need the extra hauling capacity. So please do me the advanced favor of not treating me like an idiot and telling me what I need.

My search continues after Tuesday, I have an appointment with World Class Auto, and will have an appointment with Jack Kain probably Thursday or Friday. In the meantime- I have Dear Ole Da looking up north for me, since newer modeled trucks seem to be more prevalent because of the hit that the construction industry is taking at the moment.

And I can't believe I'm up to five followers for being less than a year old! Yay!

Keep on truckin'

I've been quiet this week, not for lack of stuff to write about, but rather lack of time.

Training in 90 degree heat has been interesting, and adding the odd schedule, it just became more odd as the week progressed.

Between sweating to the point where my underwear has purple staining from the dye in my breeches and nearly falling off dehydrated, it just keeps getting better and better.

Sinari was off and on until recently, lugging around, not being her usual self. She never really did well in the heat. We kept it easy, but when we stepped out last weekend, we were less than prepared to come out and train at the Kentucky Equestrian Center with Tom Poulin.

It went well, but I felt that we were under prepared and until physical therapy today, I was extremely body sore. But since the weather cooled down, the pony feels and looks great.

But there were a lot of confirming moments last weekend, in and out of the saddle which I'm really happy about. FEI is around the corner, and she's only getting better. There are a few debatable plans in the works, and I'll get to them when I get it all sorted out.

We're back to clinicing on Monday and Tuesday. Will hopefully have photos and video.

Sincere, however, has been exploring and testing his mother's limits. In addition to driving her nuts on a daily basis, he managed to jump over the fence and get out with the main herd. Apparently, and unknown to my knowledge, weaning was scheduled five months ahead of schedule. He and the herd were getting along great, his mother however, was having a cow.

I realise the mess that could have occurred if it wasn't for the broodmares and the babysitter pony that kept watch over his chrome-laidened butt. But right now, everyone is happy and reunited.

Sincere has been progressing n manners. In addition to doing all the basic ground work, he now leads without the butt rope, and is learning to yield to halter pressure and independently move his hind quarters. Stopping and going are a little bit of an issue right now, but I suspect that that will solve itself out soon.

Also last week I dropped the car off for it's regular oil change. I had the guys check out the breaks (thought I heard grinding) and found out that the rotors had rusted. It's not a cheap repair (300 range). After chatting to the parties involved, I've spent way more overall on repairs than the car is worth at the moment. It's time to start looking for a new truck.

I hate truck shopping because I have to deal with dealers and it's too much cash for something that isn't worth half as much when you drive it off the lot.

I also have a photo shoot this weekend at one of the farms, and will probably be shooting the TCF stallions again next week.

When am I going to sleep.

Photo montage 1.0

Because I take so many photos of the farms, the ponies and various subjects, and because not everyone (or should everyone) have access to the Facebook, I'll share here.